BUCKFIELD — Following a lengthy discussion on whether to accept maintenance for the final quarter mile of McCallister Road that has been considered abandoned, the board voted 2-0 to not maintain it.
Selectman Robin Buswell recused himself from the vote to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
Some petitioners from the four families who live on the road left after the vote, and one was heard to say to the board, “See you in court.”
Selectman Rodney Allen moved to table the issue until more information could be gathered as to when and if the road was abandoned and asked Town Manager Dana Lee to seek advice from the town’s lawyer.
Selectman Martha Catevenis explained that the law on abandonment is very vague, which puts the town and the petitioners in a bad position.
“The laws are not black and white,” Catevenis said. “It’s complicated.”
In other news, the board voted not to allow a BYOB permit for the Labor Day dance scheduled with a band for 8 p.m. until midnight, Sunday, Sept. 2. Some attendees felt it gave a mixed message to kids about drinking.
Lee suggested days for selectmen workshops on various topics. Several members suggested Saturday for the days as it fit their schedules better and asked Lee to come back with another schedule.
Lee reported that High Street has been paved with the base coat. They plan to give Bear Pond the base coat and then come back with the finish coat The first coat was two inches and the final will be one and a half.
Eileen Hotham was appointed to the Social Service Committee and Perley Lovejoy to the Planning Board.
The interlocal agreement with Sumner for the Transfer Station has lapsed. The agreement has been sent to Sumner for their consideration.
Cemeteries will be mowed before Labor Day, according to Lee. Road-side mowers did not do a great job, but Lee likes to do more by utilizing any machine with as much work as possible while he has the machine.
Buswell said the work should have been done better.
Water has gotten into the Fire Station, and mold has surfaced. They have contracted to test the building for one month with air-quality management. The board voted for Lee to proceed and approved taking the money from the fire building reserve account.
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